Testimonia

Four messianic proof-texts gathered upon a single sheet — the Prophet like Moses, the Star and Sceptre, the priestly Levi, and the warning against the man of Belial that should come.

1And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying: I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee. They have well said all that they have spoken.

2Oh that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments alway, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! Go, say unto them: Get you into your tents again.

3But thou — stand thou here by Me; and I will speak unto thee all the commandment, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess.

4I shall raise up unto them a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee. I shall put My words in His mouth; and He shall speak unto them all that I shall command Him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto My words which He shall speak in My name, I will require it of him.

5And he took up his parable, and said: Balaam the son of Beor hath said; even the man whose eye is open hath said; he hath said, that heareth the words of God, and that knoweth the knowledge of the Most High; that seeth the vision of the Almighty — falling, but having his eyes open.

6I shall see Him, but not now. I shall behold Him, but not nigh. There shall come a Star out of Jacob; and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel; and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. And Edom shall be a possession; Seir also shall be a possession for His enemies. Israel shall do valiantly. Out of Jacob shall come He that shall have dominion; and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.

7And of Levi he said: Thy Thummim and Thy Urim be with Thy holy one, whom Thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom Thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah. Who said unto his father and to his mother: I have not seen them; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children — for they have observed Thy word, and kept Thy covenant.

8They shall teach Jacob Thy judgments, and Israel Thy law. They shall put incense before Thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon Thine altar. Bless, O Lord, his substance; and accept the work of his hands. Smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again.

9And concerning the man of Belial — even Joshua the son of Nun spake, saying: Cursed be the man before the Lord that riseth up and rebuildeth this city Jericho. He shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn; and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it. The interpretation thereof: it concerneth the accursed man, the man of Belial, that shall arise in the latter days. He shall set up himself; he shall sacrifice his sons unto the destroyer. He and his men of violence shall fall; and they shall return unto the building of the city of vanity. They shall set up therein an altar — even an altar of abominations — and of fortified things. And they shall be a snare for Ephraim; and a destruction for Israel; and a great evil among the children of Jacob.

10Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who hath warned His people of the coming of the man of Belial, that they may be wise, and may not be deceived. Blessed be the Star and the Sceptre that shall arise. Blessed be the Prophet like unto Moses. Blessed be the holy Levi that beareth the Urim. Forever and ever. Amen.